A fleet of clipper ships in 1880s, used to transport tea and other goods to and from China. Picture: Alamy

Opinion

Opinion

Then & Now by Jason Wordie

Pelt and road: how trade with China was smoothed with furs from British Columbia

Sea otter pelts were one of few commodities the Chinese actually wanted in the 18th century, but overexploitation and cheaper rabbit fur from Australia put an end to what was a profitable trade within decades